A friend or group member called me today and asked the newcomers about the USB audio interface to analyze the DIY record. I would recommend Tascam US-2 × 2. After spending 30 hours of researching this category, discussing the key features of audio professionals and recording instruments and vocal samples on five models for a well-prepared audience, we chose US-2 × 2 as our favorite.

We found that this is the easiest to use model, and in most cases, configure plug and play. It is also one of the most affordable dual-channel USB audio interfaces on the market, which makes it easier to recommend it.

During the comparative evaluation of listeners, our team found that Tascam US-2 × 2 provided the most consistent warm, very detailed record. It is powerful enough and sensitive enough to work with most microphones, so you can use it to record any instrument that you need. Compared to other models that we studied, the robust build quality of US-2×2 makes it an excellent choice for portable recording.

iOS supports the benefits of mobile music users who want to leave their laptops behind. US-2 × 2 also has built-in MIDI support, so you can connect an electronic instrument, such as a keyboard or drum machine, without the need for additional equipment.

If you want to record vocals for podcasts or other projects with a clean voice, you can use a simple all-in-one USB microphone, but anyone who wants to record the instrument will appreciate the flexibility of USB, like the US-2 × 2 audio interface,

Audio interface manufacturers usually include software with hardware, and this choice can help determine the solution of one box, not the other. If you do not already have your favorite recording software, PreSonus AudioBox iTwo also offers built-in support for MIDI and iOS devices and excellent sound quality, but adds a full-featured version of its highly valued Studio One Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software ($ 100 value) . It also includes an iOS app for Capture Duo, but anyone can download it for free in the App Store.

We believe that the Tascam device is usually better, because it is more durable and easy to use, and many people can use GarageBand or other free programs, but PreSonus is close behind.

If you record a group rehearsal and find that the pair of microphones is not enough, the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 is an update that we can easily recommend. We tested the same high-quality mic preamps and 192/24 DACs as the Scarlett 2i2, and relied on Scarlett 6i6 to record quality recordings, but added built-in MIDI and iOS devices to support the lack of dual-channel siblings.

If you just want to record vocals, Icicle is an affordable way to convert any conventional microphone into a USB microphone.

If you are doing a podcast or want to record vocals instead of an electric guitar or keyboard, the basic XLR-USB interface simplifies setup and saves you money.

The blue microphone Icicle is a compact interface that allows you to connect a standard microphone of your choice, and then convert the analog signal to digital format for transfer to a computer via a USB connection. Despite its small size, it still provides a 48-volt phantom power needed to connect a condenser microphone. Disadvantage:

You can not connect an icicle to the iPad using the Apple camera connection kit, so you still need a laptop.

For beginners who just bought the first acoustic guitar, we believe that the Fender CC-60S is the best choice. We came to this conclusion, playing about 40 guitars, and a team of three teachers, three students, a professional guitarist and guitarist checked seven models. Our members love the comfortable compact CC-60S body, an easy-to-use neck and a balanced, live sound.

In an era dominated by electronic pop music, acoustic guitars appear to be obsolete, but since 2010 their sales by electric guitars have consistently outperformed electric guitars, in part due to acoustic guitar stars such as Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. The success and absence of the current “guitar hero” model Jimmy Page or Eddie Van Halen.

For those who want to accompany themselves, when they sing or want to write songs, acoustic guitars are probably the easiest and most affordable way to get started. You only need a guitar: there is no amplifier, no cable, no computer, no technical knowledge. Thanks to effective overseas production, you can get a good acoustic guitar for just a few hundred dollars.

How we choose

In planning this guide, our discussions with Billy Martinez, vice president of category management at the Acoustics Department at Fender Musical Instruments, were deeply affected. Martinez told me that about 90% of people who started playing guitar will leave in a year or two. This amazing and disappointing fact inspired two basic principles to decide which guitar to test. (Incidentally, this discussion did not make us biased towards Fender, because all guitar brands were blocked by the artist’s ribbon, so our team members did not know what guitar they were playing on.)

First of all, it may be unreasonable to spend a lot of money on the first guitar, because it probably accumulates dust in the cabinet. Having tried a lot of cheap acoustic guitars, I think that there are at least some nice models, the size of which is less than $ 200, so we decided to install it in our price limit. Having won some disappointing bad guitars in the $ 69 box, I decided to focus on models costing at least $ 99, if you do not stumble upon a model costing less than $ 99, which seems worth trying.

Secondly, we think that if someone feels uncomfortable with the instrument, they are less likely to adhere to this, so we want to find a guitar that is comfortable to play with. According to Martinez, about half of buyers of inexpensive acoustic guitars are women, which makes us, as a rule, use small guitars, often called “concert sizes”. Although the guitar does not have strict standards of size, the concert size is not large.

The guitar is usually about 1 inch already at the widest part of the guitar, and 1/2 inch less from the front to the back of the more fearless guitar that most people think when they think of an “acoustic guitar.” This may not seem like much of a difference, but it makes it easier to grab a guitar even for a guy like me 6 feet tall. The only drawback of the guitars of the concert is that they do not sound as loud as fearless sounds. Nevertheless, many people believe that guitar sounds of concert size are better balanced and less than fearless music. Despite this, several manufacturers with whom I spoke did not offer inexpensive guitar guitars, so they sent fearless things.

To identify the acoustic guitar for testing, I looked through the Amazon website and the sites of the music store Guitar Center and Sam Ashe, and I visited several music stores in Los Angeles to get an idea of ​​what models are worth trying. Well, most beginners prefer to start with traditional guitars. We did not test any instruments that looked unusual, like Luna Guitars Gypsy Spalt and King Dirty Thirtties, they can be very good guitars, but we are looking for the widest range that we can Models recommended by players, not just those who have special tastes. We also ruled out 3/4 of the size of the tour and the “living room” guitars, for some beginners they can be more comfortable, especially for children under the age of 12, but we believe that most beginners want some kind of growth that can be (Musical instrument , which is literal or metaphorical.

All the models that we tested were steel string acoustics, which is by far the most popular model of popular, rural, rock music and folk music. Nylon strings Classical (or Spanish) guitars have a more flexible string

If a friend or group member calls me today and asks a beginner about the USB audio interface to go to a DIY record, I would recommend Tascam US-2 × 2. After 30 hours of researching this category, discussing key features of audio professionals and recording instruments and vocal samples on five models for a well-prepared audience, we chose US-2 × 2 as our favorite. We found that this is the easiest to use model, and in most cases, configure plug and play. It is also one of the most affordable dual-channel USB audio interfaces on the market, which makes it easier to recommend it.

During the comparative evaluation of listeners, our team found that Tascam US-2 × 2 provided the most consistent warm, very detailed record. It is powerful enough and sensitive enough to work with most microphones, so you can use it to record any instrument that you need. Compared to other models that we studied, the robust build quality of US-2×2 makes it an excellent choice for portable recording. iOS supports the benefits of mobile music users who want to leave their laptops behind. US-2 × 2 also has built-in MIDI support, so you can connect an electronic instrument, such as a keyboard or drum machine, without the need for additional equipment.

If you want to record vocals for podcasts or other projects with a clean voice, you can use a simple all-in-one USB microphone, but anyone who wants to record the instrument will appreciate the flexibility of USB, like the US-2 × 2 audio interface,

Audio interface manufacturers usually include software with hardware, and this choice can help determine the solution of one box, not the other. If you do not already have your favorite recording software, PreSonus AudioBox iTwo also offers built-in support for MIDI and iOS devices and excellent sound quality, but adds a full-featured version of its highly valued Studio One Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software ($ 100 value) . It also includes an iOS app for Capture Duo, but anyone can download it for free in the App Store. We believe that the Tascam device is usually better, because it is more durable and easy to use, and many people can use GarageBand or other free programs, but PreSonus is close behind.

If you record a group rehearsal and find that the pair of microphones is not enough, the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 is an update that we can easily recommend. We tested the same high-quality mic preamps and 192/24 DACs as the Scarlett 2i2, and relied on Scarlett 6i6 to record quality recordings, but added built-in MIDI and iOS devices to support the lack of dual-channel siblings.

If you are doing a podcast or want to record vocals instead of an electric guitar or keyboard, the basic XLR-USB interface simplifies setup and saves you money. The blue microphone Icicle is a compact interface that allows you to connect a standard microphone of your choice, and then convert the analog signal to digital format for transfer to a computer via a USB connection. Despite its small size, it still provides a 48-volt phantom power needed to connect a condenser microphone. One of the drawbacks: you can not use the Apple Camera Connection connection kit to connect icicles to the iPad, so you still need to use a laptop.